Ice-creeper.



G. C. MATZ.

ICE CRBEPBB? APPLICATION FILED rma. 24, 1909.

Patented Jan.25, 1910.

l/mf Z?? 'PATENT critics.

CHARLES C. MATZ, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

ICE-CREEPER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application tiled February 24, 1909.

Patented J au. 25, 1.910.

Serial No. 479,744.

To all who/m, it may concern:

Be it known that I, CrmnLns C. Mxrz, a citizen of the llnited States. residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and uselul Improvements in Ice-Creepers, of which the following is a specitication.

My invention relates to a metallic ice Creeper.

The purpose of my invention is to provide an easy means of attaching securely to the heel of a shoe a metallic armor, to be used to prevent the wearer from slipping on ice, or other slippery surfaces. where he would be likely to fall.

My device is so arranged that it can be quickly andl securely adjusted to the heel of a shoe, or disengaged quickly, as necessity arises, without defacing the heel of the shoe.

For a full, clear and complete (lisclosure of my invention, reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to corresponding parts.

Figure 1. shows side view of lee creeper attached to the heel of the shoe, part of vamp and sole torn away. Fig. 2. shows closed side view of the ice creeper', bar removed. Fig. 3. shows side view of ice Creeper, lever down, ice heel open to receive heel. Fig. 4l shows ice creeper' viewed from the back. Fig. 5. shows fragmentary portion of ice creeper viewed from the inside toward the back. F ig. G. shows ice creeper viewed from its ground aspect, parts removed.

Referring to Fig. 1. of the drawings-tl1e bottom of the heel of the shoe is indicated at 1); the vertical convex part of the heel at 2); the transverse portion of the heel at (3); the sole of the shoe at (L1), and the vamp at The ice creeper consists of a metallic strap or band (6), semi-elliptical in shape, Corresponding to the vertical walls of the heel of the shoe. For convenience of description, I divide it into the following parts: the metallic strap (6), or portion which encircles the convex portion of the heel and the transverse part (7) which corresponds to the front surface of the heel of the shoe.

The metal strap (G) has a recess (8) on its inner surface to receive au adjustable finger (9), whose function it is to grasp the back of the shoe just below the vamp. 'lhis adjustable linger (9) is a rectangular plate l ot' steel, drilled and tapped at one of its ends toaccepta setscrew (.1()),which allows of an :uljustment upward and downward, because, it is thrust through a vertical slot (1l) in the back of the Creeper. This slot (11) forms part: of the, back walls of the recess (S) in the inner side ofthe creeper. The adjustable linger and the recess are made to conform to each other so as to form a slide (,-cntrolled by the set screw binding them together in any desired position. 'lhe slot is long enough to have an additional set screw thrust through it, this second set. lscrew to give attachment. to a rem( "able spur (A), such as is used in horsemanship. This adjustable linger is provided with an inturned tooth (9a).

The transverse portion of the ice creeper is a metallic strap, provided with inturned spurs (l2), which dig into the transverse portion of the leather of the heel of the shoe, which it is intended to be worn on. The transverse portion of the ice creeper is open on one side, and is an integral part, and a continuation of the said band. (7)11 its other side this transverse portion may be regarded as a hinge part, because it opens and closes through the medium of a lever (13) and bar (lll) which are attached to it and 011e end of the band. rlhe lever (18) acts on a Center pin (15), which is riveted into one end of the band. When the lever is rotated back and up 'ard, it exerts a pull on bar (141), which has an inturned head, which lits into a socket (17) in a llange (1G) which is part of the transverse brace (7). By the said pull on this bar (111) on the end of transverse portion (7) there is imparted a hinge-like movement to the said transverse brace. It is provided with a series of inturned teeth which, when the brace is closed, thrust theniselves into the front part of the surface of the heel of the shoe and thereby lock the ice creeper into place for use.

On the edge of the creeper which comes next, to the ground are located a series of inturned spring-like plates (181); each of these plates terminates in a downward projecting flange (181'), which is an integral part of the said metallic strap. l consider these projections preferable to pins, for the reason that pins would come loose, and the weight of a heavy man would break pins, if such were used, instead of the described projections. Also, these projections decrease the liability to slip, as long rectangular projections certainly give more friction than a pin. The projections arethreein number, the two side ones are parallel with the long axis of the shoe; the back one lis at right angles to the side projections, and, hence, the two side projections act as preventives from slipping sidewise, and the back projection is intended to prevent from slipping forward. It is, therefore, claimed that there is a distinct advantage in the self sharpening projections over pins, as they also have more or less spring to them. Moreover, they are made simultaneously with the rest of the metallic strap, as it is stamped from a sheet of steel in the first vcut of the stamping process, which is, therefore, economical.

I use a lever in my device, and the position of that lever is an important item of consideration, for the reason that if it were placed under the sole, immediately in front of the heel, the liability of its being crushed is very great, and the wearer must remember not to step on it when crossing gutters, as mud, slush, etc. would jam it so that each time it was taken off in the house, it might be necessary to first wash it before disengaging it. Therefore, itis thought best to locate the lever on the outside of the heel7 not on the side ofthe heel next to the shoe of the other foot. If located here,'the act of walking would interfere with it.

To prevent the lever rotating too far upward, I have provided a stop (19) on the upper edge of the metallic strap.

Claims. 1. An ice Creeper, comprising a metallic strap, conforming to the shape of a heel; said strap having its transverse forward portion provided with inturned teeth; said metallic strap provided with a series of spring-like plates projecting inward under the heel; said plates terminating in downward projecting flanges; said flanges being rectangular; ends of said metallic strap held together by a toggle lever and pivot bar; said metallic strap slotted in its rear; a set screw projecting through said slot and engaged into an adjustable linger, having an inturned tooth, substantially as set forth and described.

2. An ice creeper, comprising a metallic strap, conforming to the shape of a heel; ends of said strap held together at the outside corner of the heel by means of a toggle lever and pivot bar, three plates projecting under said heel from said metallic strap; two of said plates from the sides and one from the rear; said plates provided with Y downward projecting flanges, two of the said flangesbeing parallel, the remaining being at right angles; the rear portion of said metallic strap slotted; a set screw thrust through said slot and engaged into an adjustable nger, provided with an inturned tooth, substantially as set forth and described. v

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES C. MATZ.

Witnesses GEORGE J. PAYNTER, THOMAS J. OROURKE. 

